Climate and Health

From Environmental Defense (http://www.edf.org/home.cfm) and American Public Health Association (http://www.nphw.org/nphw08/default.htm).

There is a direct connection between climate change and the health of our nation today. Yet few Americans are aware of the very real consequences of climate change on the health of our communities, our families and our children.

The public health community has an important role to play in making the connection between the way we lead our lives, our impact on the planet, and the planet’s impact on our health. During National Public Health Week 2008, APHA will encourage individuals, families and communities to change their daily behavior in five important ways.

It's time for public health to have a voice in the conversation.

To help guide the work of the public health community, APHA has released a blueprint for combating the health impacts of climate change. The blueprint, which represents the culmination of a process involving some of the nation’s leading public health and climate change experts, provides specific recommendations for where the public health community should begin as it works to address this important issue.

Here is the American Public Health Association's Healthy Climate Pledge:

I/We, the undersigned, pledge to make small changes in our daily lives during National Public Health Week 2008 as a first step toward improving the health of the climate, our communities, our families and ourselves.

In doing so, I/we acknowledge that it is now indisputable that there is a direct connection between climate change and health, that the scientific community has stated decisively that human beings are responsible for climate change and that the impacts of climate change will worsen as emissions continue to rise.

As individuals who care about ourselves, our families and our planet, I/we accept responsibility for how our lifestyles have contributed to climate change and vow to be part of the solution. We will work to learn more about how what happens in our home, community and workplace has global impact.

This week, I/we begin a life-long commitment to a healthy climate and a healthy future. I/We pledge to:

Be Prepared
Prepare for climate change-related emergencies by creating "Climate Kits," and becoming informed about the health impacts of climate change and regional climate change issues facing our community.

Travel Differently
Leave the car at home — use public transportation, carpool, walk, bike or telecommute.

Eat Differently
Eat less meat and buy local produce from our community farmers market.

Green Your Work
Use recycled paper, print less, use energy saving computer settings and green our office.

Green Your Home
Seal and insulate our homes, reduce, reuse, recycle and use water efficiently.

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